Duel of the world champions at the Dolomiti Superbike

Alban Lakata, the now three-time marathon world champion and two-time European champion from Lienz, won the Dolomiti 2012. Tiago Ferreira was successful in Niederdorf in 2015. In 2016 he won gold at the MTB Marathon World Championships in Laissac, France. Besides Rui Costa (road), he is only the second Portuguese cycling world champion. At the World Championships in Singen, the two stars were separated by just one second after 98 kilometers and just over three hours of driving time.

“Both athletes are perfect for the course in Alta Pusteria,” says OK President Kurt Ploner. “Compared to the World Championships, the professionals at the Dolomiti Superbike have to climb 557 meters more in altitude and the route is 15 kilometers longer.” Ferreira is nine years younger than Lakata, who has more experience. “Both athletes have enormous strength endurance, which will benefit them both on the climbs and on the flat sections. It will be incredibly exciting!” said the president, who is expecting a high race pace.

The world champion and his runner-up face competition from exceptional athletes such as Kristian Hynek (CZE), Hector Leonardo Páez León (COL), Periklis Ilias (GRE), Roel Paulissen (BEL) and Massimo Debertolis (ITA). With the exception of Hynek, all have been world champions at least once (2004, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2017).

Broad field of favorites among women

In the women's category, the Lithuanian Sosna Katazina, the German Katrin Schwing and the Italians Maria Cristina Nisi and Mara Fumagalli are among the promising contenders for victory. Katazina, ninth in the World Championships, has finished third in the past two years, while the experienced long-distance specialist from Germany won in 2009. Nisi and Fumagalli, on the other hand, are among the strongest Italian marathon specialists.

A total of eight winners from previous editions are at the start. Together, these top athletes have won 9 gold medals in the long distance. Kristian Hynek won the Dolomiti Superbike in 2013, a year after his teammate Lakata. The 2012 European champion and 2014 Cape Epic winner impresses with his physical strength, which is particularly noticeable on long climbs and tough flat sections.

The Colombian Hector Leonardo Páez León, on the other hand, is a marathon veteran. The 35-year-old has already won twice in Niederdorf, in 2006 and 2016. The climbing specialist has also won silver once (2006) and bronze twice (2013,2015, XNUMX) at the World Championships. The multiple South American champion and Olympian wants to achieve a hat trick in Niederdorf.

Paulissen has his sights set on a “home win”.

Periklis Ilias from Greece has already left his mark on the endurance race in the Dolomites with a victory in 2014 and third in 2012. The multiple Greek national champion became world champion in Ornans (FRA) in 2012. In Singen he lost valuable time due to a technical defect on the front wheel and finished 13th.

Roel Paulissen (BEL) is one of the most experienced marathon specialists in the world. The South Tyrolean by choice won gold at the 2008 World Cup in Pustertal. A year later he climbed back onto the top podium at the World Championships in Graz/Stategg. He won the Dolomiti Superbike over the short distance in 2005.

The Italian phalanx is led by Juri Ragnoli. The 28-year-old from Brescia, who got married a few days ago, is the reigning Italian marathon champion. He won the HERO Südtirol Dolomites three weeks ago, while he crossed the finish line in 2017nd place at the 22 World Championships. Other favorites for a top spot are Cristiano Salerno, winner of the Assietta Legend marathon on Sunday, then Johnny Cattaneo (ITA) and Tony Longo, who won the KitzAlpBike a week ago. His team captain, Massimo Debertolis, celebrated two victories over the long distance in Niederdorf in 2007 and 2009 and between 2001 and 2003 he won three times over 60 km. At 42 years old, the 2004 world champion is one of the most experienced world-class athletes.

The classic marathon route for professionals leads clockwise over 113 km and 3.357 meters in altitude through the five Alta Pusteria communities of Niederdorf, Toblach, Sesto, Innichen and Braies. The start is at 7.30 a.m. and arrival is scheduled for around 12 p.m.

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Duel of the world champions at the Dolomiti Superbike

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